C-Train assault victim's family plan to 'stand up' for critically injured mother in court
As a Calgary woman continues to recover in hospital after being pushed onto the tracks at a C-Train station last week, her family is gearing up to advocate against bail for the woman accused in the attack.
According to the family, Rozalia Meichl was on her way home after an outing with her friend Thursday afternoon when she was attacked by a stranger. She was shoved off the Victoria Park LRT Station platform and onto the tracks as the train was arriving. The train was able to stop just in time before hitting her.
Police charged Stephanie Favel, 35, with attempted murder, aggravated assault and breach of probation in the attack. Favel was also accused of a seemingly random attack in Calgary three years ago — but the charge was withdrawn.
Charmaine Newman, Meichl's daughter, said the family will head to Favel's bail hearing on Tuesday to stand up for their mother and advocate that the woman facing attempted murder charges not be released.
"Why she was ever allowed out to harm anyone in the first place, I don't get it," she said. "I want to make sure that she's not coming back on the street."
Newman was the first to be informed when her mother was hurt, she told the Calgary Eyeopener's David Gray on Monday.
'She's a fighter'
Meichl was in life-threatening condition when she first arrived at hospital, but her condition has since been upgraded to critical.
"Nothing prepares you for that phone call," Newman said. "They don't give you much information ... the worst things go through your head."
She said her mom is still having a hard time remembering much from the attack. Newman added her mom's head hit the track when she fell, so she's still dealing with head trauma.
Meichl also had a pre-existing condition that involved a spinal fusion, so the drop severed her spine. Newman said her mom has prided herself on her mobility, and losing that is a big deal.
"She's a fighter, she's fought all her life because of her disability," Newman said.
With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.
